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Thread: Got my first mando:)

  1. #1
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    Default Got my first mando:)

    It finally happened! Saved for a couple months, popped down to my local music shop today and bought a middle of the road Ozark for £185. It was meant to be £200 but the top 2-3 frets were replaced by a piece of tortoiseshell at some point so they discounted it.

    To my untrained ear it sounds lovely. Good volume and decent sustain for the chords. Action is low but still tough on my fingers to fret but that's to be expected, time will help there.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2

    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Well, now you've done it. Good luck with your journey!

  3. #3
    Registered User 108 Mile's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Congrats, make music with it! (It won’t be your last!)
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    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    So fun

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Quote Originally Posted by larten27 View Post
    It finally happened! Saved for a couple months, popped down to my local music shop today and bought a middle of the road Ozark for £185. It was meant to be £200 but the top 2-3 frets were replaced by a piece of tortoiseshell at some point so they discounted it.

    To my untrained ear it sounds lovely. Good volume and decent sustain for the chords. Action is low but still tough on my fingers to fret but that's to be expected, time will help there.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    How exciting for you! Enjoy! The Mandolin Cafe was an important resource for me from the beginning of my journey, about five years ago, because there was so much to learn about what to expect, and how to make the experience even better as I went along. I transitioned from being primarily a violinist to making the mandolin my first choice and it is a delight.

    I hope your time with the mandolin is very rewarding for you.

    Play on!
    ---
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  6. #6
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    How on earth are you going to manage without the top 3 frets? They’re there primarily to gather dust! Stick at it and it won’t be long before you’re looking for another one.

    I take it that you’re somewhere in the UK? The UK is a bit of a mandolin waste-land at the moment but welcome to the forum.

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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray(T) View Post
    How on earth are you going to manage without the top 3 frets? They’re there primarily to gather dust! Stick at it and it won’t be long before you’re looking for another one.

    I take it that you’re somewhere in the UK? The UK is a bit of a mandolin waste-land at the moment but welcome to the forum.
    Thank you! Aye UK based so slim pickings, the shop did have a £500 Kentucky but honestly I prefer the sound out of the Ozark. Warmer and deeper y'know?

  8. #8
    Registered User Elliot Luber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Play the heck out of it! Congrats.

  9. #9
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Nice! Now go practice!
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Congrats!

  11. #11
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Good on you. I got my first just a few months ago, going to my first open mike in 2 weeks.

    Good LORD but I'm a fool. lol
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
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    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

  12. #12
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Congratulations and happy picking

  13. #13
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Fantastic! Play the potatoes out of it!
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  14. #14
    Mandolin Player trodgers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Sounds like you are well on your way. Enjoy your new instrument!

  15. #15

    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Congratulations! Have lots of fun with your new instrument

  16. #16
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Going to phone up and check the price of setup, they say all instruments are set up on arrival but this one is lacking.

    The A and E strings at the first fret don't hold a 0.46mm (0.018") pick, and the strings are a mile off the board at the 7th and 12th frets.

    If Rob's e-book is to be trusted, which I know it is, the first fret distance should be 0.011" or 0.27mm, which I think is about half of where it is right now.

    I'm sure most of you would agree that's not right.

    EDIT: When I say a mile for the 12th and 7th that's probably an exaggeration. I can fit a 1.2mm (0.0472"/just over 3/64ths) pick at the 7th fret and it's a few hairs off touching. At the 12th fret it's at least 1.66mm/0.0783"
    Last edited by larten27; Jan-26-2022 at 11:42am.

  17. #17
    Registered User NewboyJohnny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    I’m brand new too, good luck!!
    Can anyone recommend some classic Mandolin Bluegrass albums please.
    Much appreciated ��

  18. #18

    Default Re: Got my first mando:)

    Quote Originally Posted by NewboyJohnny View Post
    I’m brand new too, good luck!!
    Can anyone recommend some classic Mandolin Bluegrass albums please.
    Much appreciated ��
    Welcome. If you want classic I’d grab:
    Bill Monroe - Master of Bluegrass
    Skaggs and Rice
    JD Crowe and the New South - Self Titled
    Norman Blake and Red Rector - Self titled
    David Grisman and Tony Rice - Tone Poems
    Tony Rice Unit - Backwaters, Devlin, Manzanita

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